Leaders and Staff

Our Governance

The focal point of church governance is the elder. Our Board of Elders serves both as the spiritual leadership and covering for Colorado Christian Fellowship (CCF), and as the Board of Directors for the legal entity, Colorado Christian Fellowship, Inc. Our elders are accountable to God on behalf of the church.

Our Elders

Phillip F. Smith, Jr.

Phillip F. Smith, Jr. (Apostle Phil) was raised in Massachusetts. He attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Judaic studies. In 1992, he moved to Denver to attend the University of Denver College of Law and graduated with honors in 1995. While in law school, Apostle Phil simultaneously prepared for ministerial service in a local, Denver-area Methodist church and was ordained as a Deacon in 1994. In 1998, he was prompted by God to found Colorado Christian Fellowship (CCF), a non-denominational, Full-Gospel church where he serves as senior pastor. After two years, due to CCF’s rapid growth, Apostle Phil stopped practicing law in order to serve the church full-time. It was also during this time that the Lord clarified his call to ministry, calling him to the Five-Fold ministry office gift of “Apostle” and assigning him to do ministry throughout the state of Colorado. Through CCF, he is fulfilling his apostolic call to plant churches and train and release God’s people for ministry. Apostle Phil is a dynamic Bible teacher who illuminates the Word of God through the unique anointing on his life and ministry. He is married to Sylvia, whom he met while attending Brown University. They have two children, Dominique and John-Rudolph. (back to top)

Aswad Allen

Born in Denver on January 2, 1965, Aswad resided in the Park Hill and Five Points communities as a child. After attending Regis Jesuit High School, he obtained B.A.s in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Aswad received his Master of Science in Student Development in 1993 and Ph.D. in Educational Leadership in 2014 from Colorado State University. For the past 25 years, he has worked with various university communities across the country to establish innovative student services in support of historically marginalized students. Since becoming a member of CCF in 2002, Aswad has received training with the Sons of Covenant (2004) and was ordained as a Deacon (2005) and Pastor (2006) through Global Change Netwok, U.S.A.. As a follower of Christ, he continues to advance in his spiritual development through Christian Vocational Training School (CVTS) classes. He currently works at the University of Colorado in Denver, is married to Kally, and they have four children. (back to top)

Michael Jones

Michael Jones was born in 1957 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He is the second of five children. During his childhood, his family lived in New Jersey, Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, and Hawaii. In 1972, his family moved to Colorado where his father retired from the U.S. Army at Fitzsimmons. His family lived in Morris Heights, and Michael attended Aurora Public Schools, graduating from Hinkley High School. Immediately following high school, Michael enlisted in the U.S. Army like his father, older, and younger brothers. In the Army, Michael served as a heavy equipment operator and attended school at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. He was also stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas and twice in Mainz, Germany. After serving in the military, he was employed for 12 years with Dyncorp Aviation Services where he received many awards and accolades. In May of 1994, Michael gained employment with the State of Colorado Department of Transportation where he holds the position of Maintenance Lead worker.

In 1986, he married Sherri Jones and they had three birth children, Christopher, Alexandria (deceased), and Adrian, and one grandson, Joshua. The Jones Family has been members of CCF since 2004. Michael has served with the Deacon’s Ministry since 2005, was ordained as an Evangelist in 2006 through Global Change Network, U.S.A., has been a teacher in the Children’s Department since 2007, and ministers at the Chester House Halfway House as part of the Father’s Heart Prison Ministry. (back to top)

Trelles Stepter

Trelles Stepter was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He received an AA degree from Saint Leo’s College in Florida and has continued studies at Columbia College in Aurora, Colorado majoring in Finance and Accounting with a minor in Human Resources. He also graduated from Bible College in 1998. Trelles retired from active duty in the United States Army after 22 years of service where he traveled extensively in Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Honduras, Japan and Vietnam. Since retiring from the Army, he has worked as Warehouse Manager for Wagner Equipment Company, Facility Manager for Heritage Christian Center, and General Manager for U-Haul Company. Trelles also owned and operated a janitorial business and presently works for the Department of the Air Force, Air Reserve Personnel Center, where he has received Certificates for Outstanding Achievement and Civilian of the Quarter 2008. He is active in the community and volunteers for the PALS (Partnership and Learning = Success) Program at a local elementary school. Trelles and his wife Marcia have been married for over 4 decades and have 3 children and 10 grandchildren. Trelles has served as an Usher and a Deacon and in the Parking Lot and Security Ministries. Trelles and Marcia were ordained in 2006 and presently serve as Prayer Counselors, Facilitators of the Couples Connecting Group, and CVTS Facilitators. (back to top)

Raye Jackson

Raye Jackson is a native of Denver and serves as Congregational Care Coordinator for Colorado Christian Fellowship (CCF). Prior to her role as Congregational Care Coordinator, she assisted in CCF’s Business Department. As a preteen she and her family lived in Okinawa, Japan for 3 years. They moved back to Denver where she attended George Washington High School. Following graduation from high school, she explored life working in California, Washington, and Colorado as a sales and service representative for Manpower, Inc. She also worked for the United States Postal Service in Colorado for 19 years. Raye graduated from Emily Griffith Opportunity School with certification as an Administrative Assistant/Clerk in January 2011. Raye found a home at CCF in 2004 and was ordained as Pastor/Prophet through Global Change, Network, U.S.A. in 2005. She has served as a greeter, office volunteer, GCN Advocate, and in the Prayer Ministry. She continues her education through Christian Vocational Training School (CVTS) classes and other studies. (back to top)

Nelson Gonzalez

Nelson Gonzalez was born on March 16, 1959, was raised in New York City, New York, and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1977. On October 20, 1984, he married his wife, Evelyn, and they have been married for 3 decades and have an adult son, Matthew. In 1996, Nelson and his family moved to Denver, Colorado. He works for Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association – College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF) where he has been employed for almost 30 years. He presently serves as a deacon at Colorado Christian Fellowship and was ordained in the office of Teacher on April 22, 2011 through Global Change Network, U.S.A. (back to top)

Willie Douglas

Willie Douglas was born in Charleston, Mississippi. After graduating from high school, he joined the United States Air Force where he served for twenty six years. After retiring from the Air force, Willie worked for Pinkerton Security Agency, Alcohol and Drug Testing Agency, Triwest Health Network, and Echostar, and is currently employed with the Veterans’ Administration. During this time, he also earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Technology (Telecommunication) from the University of Phoenix. Willie began attending CCF in 2005. He married his wife, Freddie, in 2007 and also became a member of CCF. Willie has received training with the Sons of Covenant, serves in the Deacons’ Ministry, and sings in the CCF men’s choir. As a follower of Christ, he continues to advance in his spiritual development through Christian Vocational Training School (CVTS) classes. (back to top)

CCF Administrative Staff

Meet the CCF administrative staff who manages the day-to-day functions of CCF so that members can thrive in an atmosphere of love and peace, while growing spiritually.

Phillip F. Smith, Jr. is Colorado Christian Fellowship’s Overseeing Apostle/Senior Pastor. While shepherding CCF, Apostle Phil encourages us to serve according to our spiritual gifts. His role also includes implementing the church-wide vision and developing an effective ministry staff to equip and restore God’s people. (back to top)

JC Hendrix serves as Executive Pastor and is responsible for overseeing the business operations of the CCF organization. Pastor JC is probably most recognized for his role with the CCF Village Capital Campaign and discipleship and mentoring of men through Sons of Covenant.

Gerald Bargaineer, II is the Aurora Campus Pastor and Youth and Young Adults Pastor. He oversees the Aurora campus and its ministries, and is also responsible for the Fervor Youth and Relentless Young Adults Programs. Pastor Gerald works with youth, 6-12th grade and young adults, 18-30. His goal is to partner with the Lord to release a prophetic generation at CCF that will relentlessly pursue the Lord. (back to top)

Betty Rice is the Boulder Campus Pastor. Pastor Betty is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day business operations of CCF in Boulder and the implementation of the Boulder campus’ vision. (back to top)

Denise Waldon is the Colorado Springs Campus Pastor and a member of its Board of Elders. She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day business operations of CCF in Colorado Springs. Her responsibilities include teaching and occasionally overseeing Worship services, providing leadership and support to ministry leaders, and pastoral care to the congregation. She also facilitates the upkeep of the church facility. (back to top)

Kay Michaelis is the Pastor of our Pastoral Counseling Department. She provides biblically based pastoral counseling to our church members using a method called Transformation Prayer Ministry (TPM). Pastor Kay also recruits and trains lay counselors to serve the congregation and provide general counsel to CCF members. It is also her responsibility to develop Connecting Group leaders for the small group studies we provide twice a year. Pastor Kay reminds us that, “Christ offers us freedom. Don’t settle for anything less! The goal of being healed is to remove the barriers to our intimacy with God.” (back to top)

Beverly Akridge is our part-time Administrative Assistant in the Counseling Department. Beverly is responsible for supporting the Counseling Department and its pastoral counseling services. If you are interested in taking an inventory of your emotional and spiritual wellbeing, send an email to Beverly at bakridge@ccfword.org, or call, 303-368-7105, Ext. 212 to make an appointment. (back to top)

Gizelle Marshall is our Director of Children’s Church as well as the part-time Children’s Pastor. Gizelle is responsible for the Children’s Ministry, Children’s Church, and Vacation Bible School. Gizelle has served in the Children’s Department for several years and has a passion for children. (back to top)

Chuck Wood is the Director of Global Change Network, U.S.A., and Dean of Christian Vocational Training School (CVTS). He is responsible for the day-to-day activities of both organizations, as well as helping to cast their visions. As Dean of CVTS, Elder Chuck evaluates the adult educational needs of CCF, develops appropriate courses, selects teaching materials and supplies, and implements special programs and events. Similarly, as Director of GCN, U.S.A., Elder Chuck provides professional ministry support and counsel to GCN, U.S.A. ministers, organizes conferences, and facilitates the growth of GCN in the U.S. and abroad. Chuck has been a member of CCF for over ten years and is an ordained minister of the church. (back to top)

Mercelle Seale is the Director of Communications. Primarily, Mercelle facilitates the internal and external communications of the church, ensuring their consistency and professionalism. She is responsible for communicating and marketing CCF’s vision, ministries, programs, and services to our congregation and community. Mercelle is also responsible for promoting all events and activities at CCF. (back to top)

Tika Rhodes is our Church Administrator. Her responsibilities are to oversee all financial and business activities of the church including maintenance of all accounting practices and procedures, working with the building campaign, preparing our annual budget, coordinating the annual audit, financial reporting, and all personnel related matters.(back to top)

Beatrice Brewer is our Business Manager. Beatrice manages all finance related activities of the church including accounts payables and receivables, wage administration, and record keeping. She also works closely with Tika to manage the day-to-day financial needs and requirements of the church. (back to top)

Larynda Jackson is our Office Manager. She is responsible for the management of the front office staff which includes managing the reception area and screening and offering assistance to members and visitors. Larynda provides project management and training to all staff for CCF’s official membership database and she coordinates the assimilation process for our new members. (back to top)

Raye Jackson is our Coordinator of Congregational Care. Raye’s responsibilities include coordinating pastoral care requests from the congregation and managing Kingdom Connections, a program that promotes active involvement in our ministries, departments, and programs. She is also responsible for coordinating weddings, funerals, baptisms, and baby dedications at CCF. (back to top)

Eric Morris is one of our Part Time Custodians. Eric is responsible for cleaning the facilities and setting up rooms for various church activities. (back to top)

Jonnell Ashley is one of our Part Time Custodians. Jonnell is responsible for cleaning the facilities and setting up rooms for various church activities. (back to top)